A New Perspective
As I have been reading Edith Wharton’s The Age of Innocence the symbolism has been extremely strong. Each character has their own meaning and representation which I am fascinated by. May Welland represents the social norm and stereotypical New York society. She is a beautiful, perfect representation of what society expects in a wife. Mrs. Manson Mingott represents a cross between the upper class and an outcast. She is very much involved in the affluent society, but she also has a strong opinion about things and accepts Ellen Olenska into her home which is very taboo. This leads us into our next character, Ellen Olenska, who is a complete misfit. She represents mystery and freedom, exactly what society does not want. Our final character to analyze is Newland Archer, who is the most perplexing character in my opinion. Archer is constantly changing, in the beginning of the book he is very involved in societal norms, but as the book goes on he is straying further away from that. Archer represents change and controversy in society. “‘Women should be free- as free as we are’… ‘Nice’ women, however wronged, would never claim the kind of freedom he meant” (Wharton 37). Archer’s change of heart is sparked by his newfound curiosity with Ellen and he begins contemplating his engagement with May. This quote really stood out to me because it emphasizes how unique his thinking is because most men in that society didn’t want women to have freedom, they just wanted a perfect little housewife. Obviously something, or more specifically someone, has changed Newland Archer’s mindset.
I am incredibly pleased with Wharton’s ability to show character changes so subtlety. Just the way their thoughts and conversations are portrayed you can see how the character has had a change of heart and the factors that contributed. Obviously I am talking about Newland Archer in which I have seen the character shift since the beginning of the book, as I was saying in the previous paragraph. No one every blatantly said he is changing because of his interaction with Ellen, but from the author’s writing style, it is made clear.
I agree with your excellent analyzation of the characters as the changes and shifts Wharton creates throughout the book are so subtle and sometimes difficult to recognize. I also think that as Ellen Olenska’s character is introduced Newland Archer begins to question the upper-class society and the roles of women within the society in which he exists along with his engagement with May Welland as Ellen is much different from the typical women he has previously encountered. I think Newland Archer’s character symbolizes the issues within his high-class society as he is faced with and comes to view new and different situations and lifestyles throughout the book.
I’m so glad you are this pleased with the book so far, Annie! You touch upon some key themes in the book … personal freedom, women’s vs. men’s rights, marriage in the early 1900s vs today.
Yes, there are more changes and inner conflicts to come for the lawyer Newland Archer. Your paper can, perhaps, focus on his portrayal. That’s just one idea!! Also, you could compare the differences between Ellen and Mary, and what Wharton is perhaps saying about women’s role in society based on the differences of these two. Just another thought!!